Council Bluffs Personal Injury Lawyer - Motor Vehicle Accidents

Nebraska DMV Offers Virtual Drive Course

Craig Kelley — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:27:30 GMT

The Nebraska DMV is now offering a fully narrated supplemental drivers education course. Although the course will not meet the Nebraska drivers education requirments, it does allow new drivers the opportunity to be better prepared for a learner's permit test. The course includes eight videos and three permit practice tests.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Craig Kelley

Council Bluffs Car Accident Injures Man

Shannon Weidemann — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:34:49 GMT

A 39-year-old man was driving his car on Interstate 80 in Council Bluffs when his car swerved and hit a car parked along the shoulder. The Missouri Valley man was trying to get something from the passenger side of the car just before hitting the parked car.

The victim's

vehicle then went to the left across two lane of traffic and came to a stop in the median.
He was transported to Alegent Health Mercy Hospital, Council Bluffs, by Council Bluffs Fire and Rescue, where he was, reports said, treated for facial lacerations and a broken neck, then released with a neck brace.

The police wrote him a ticket for failure to maintain control. The accident happened early in the morning.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Two Men Killed on Interstate 29 in Iowa

Shannon Weidemann — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 22:19:00 GMT

Two residents of Council Bluffs were killed on the side of Interstate 29 after they were hit by a minivan.

James Henry Norman, age 63, and James Henry Tomes Jr., age 45, were outside of a parked van in the left lane of traffic when they were struck. It is unknown why they were outside of the vehicle, but witnesses say one man may have been lying on the ground and the other was standing over him. The minivan was passing a semi-truck when it hit both men.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Tractor-Trailer Accidents Due to Truck Driver Fatigue Remain a Very Serious Problem in Iowa, Nebraska and Across the U.S.

Craig Kelley — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 01:21:17 GMT

Every year, almost 500,000 large trucks (tractor-trailers or "semis") are involved in traffic accidents in the United States alone. Approximately 1% (5,000) of these accidents involving semi trailer trucks result in fatalities. In fact, one out of every eight traffic fatalities in the United States is caused by a collision with a large truck. Not surprisingly, most of the deaths and injuries involve the passengers of the vehicles struck by the Semi tractor-trailers. Truck drivers typically escape with no or minor injuries.

The Federal government requires tractor-trailer and other large truck operators to acquire a commercial drivers license and undergo limited drug and alcohol testing. However, many truck safety advocates question the effectiveness of the current licensing and testing program.

A much more pressing matter, according to safety experts, is truck driver fatigue. New rules implemented by The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in 2003 allow drivers to drive up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty time. Also, drivers may not drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on-duty, following 10 hours off-duty. Similar to existing rules, drivers may not drive after being on-duty for 60 hours in a seven-consecutive-day period or 70 hours in an eight-consecutive-day period. This on-duty cycle may be restarted whenever a driver takes at least 34 consecutive hours off-duty.

Short-haul truck drivers--those drivers who routinely return to their place of dispatch after each duty tour and then are released from duty--may have an increased on-duty period of 16 hours once during any seven-consecutive-day period. The 16-hour exception takes into consideration legitimate business needs without jeopardizing safety. FMCSA estimates that without the extra two on-duty hours, the industry would be required to hire at least 48,000 new drivers, actually reducing crash-reduction benefits.

The current rule allows 10 hours of driving within a 15-hour on-duty period after eight hours of off-duty time. Also, drivers may not drive after their 15th hour on duty in a workday or after 60 hours on-duty in seven consecutive days or 70 hours on-duty in eight consecutive days.

The FMCSA estimates these new rules will save up to 75 lives and prevent a minimum 1,326 fatigue-related crashes annually. There were an estimated 4,902 truck-related fatalities in traffic crashes in 2002, the last year compiled.

With the pressure to deliver their loads, however, drivers often continue past allowed driving times when prudence suggests otherwise. In a recent survey, 20% of long-haul truck drivers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel within the past month. This statistic is incredible when factors in the size and weight of the vehicles these drivers operate!

If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in an accident involving a tractor-trailer or other large truck, it is important to consider your legal options. Many truckers are employed by large corporations that may put delivery of their goods ahead of your safety. If you are injured by the neglience of a tractor-trailer and it driver(s), please call us to learn more about your legal rights!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Craig Kelley

Nebraska Drunk Driver Statistics Remain Frightening - Avoid Accidents and Injury and Negligence - ABSTAIN!

Craig Kelley — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 10:51:49 GMT

A review of Nebraska Motor Vehicle Accident fatalities by the actions of Drunk Drivers is QUITE scary!

Statistic Link:

Watch your consumption!
Call a Designated Driver!
Drive Defensively!

Avoid being a STATISTIC!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Craig Kelley

Know How to Operate Your Boat Safely and Avoid Accidents and Injury

Craig Kelley — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 10:37:46 GMT

Another tragic boating accident on our adjoining Missouri River last weekend has led me to go on a mini-quest for better Boater Safety Awareness as the boating season kicks into full speed:

This link gives you the current Nebraska Boating Regulations, AND information on Boater Safety Education courses.

BOATSAFE link:

BOAT RESPONSIBLY in 2006, and DON'T BOAT DRUNK!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Craig Kelley

North Platte, NE, Grant Programs Offer Interesting Seat Belt Statistics - BUCKLE UP!!

Craig Kelley — Fri, 26 May 2006 08:53:58 GMT

The Lincoln County Sheriffs Department in North Platte, Nebraska, are currently involved in two different Grant programs that stress seat belt usage, and offer some some strong statistics to show WHY!!

PLEASE "buckle Up" this holiday weekend, and TEACH YOUR CHILDREN to buckle up ALL of the time!!

Read the Story:

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Craig Kelley

How to Properly Insure Your Vehicle

Craig Kelley — Tue, 02 May 2006 13:57:15 GMT

Vehicle insurance is very confusing! IF you don't understand what different types of insurance coverage mean, you could be leaving you or your family exposed to financial loss or ruin. In this article, I will cover different types of coverage and some of our thoughts on each type.

Bodily Injury Liability Insurance

This insurance protects you from claims made against you which you are obligated to pay if you cause bodily injury to someone else in a crash. This also covers your defense costs if you are sued. Bodily Injury Liability limits usually specify two dollar amounts, the first amount limiting payments to a single person per accident and the second amount puts a cap on the total amount of payment for all persons injured per accident. The Nebraska minimum required limits are $25,000.00 per single person and $50,000.00 total coverage for all persons injured. THIS IS NOT ENOUGH. Due to the current high costs of medical treatment, household overhead and higher salaries that need to be replaced.

Collision Insurance

Collision coverage pays for the damage to your vehicle by collision with another vehicle or fixed objects like trees, signs, buildings, etc. This coverage is what gets invoked when the accident is your fault. You need this coverage if your vehicle is worth more than $2,000.00 to $3,000.00, and this coverage will normally be required if your vehicle is financed.

Comprehensive Coverage Insurance

This is your "fire and theft" coverage, and also covers damage to your car for anything other than a wreck, like tornados, floods, vandalism, theft, hitting a deer, rock in windshield, etc.

Car Rental

If your vehicle is getting repaired, policies with this coverage will pay a designated amount per day for a designated number of days; or some maximum dollar amount to rent a car, while you wait for completion of repairs. If you need a vehicle for your day-to-day life, this coverage is a must.

Medical Coverage

This insurance covers medical expenses from accident injuries and covered persons in your car, no matter who is at fault. If you or your passengers do not have health insurance coverage, this coverage is also a must. Different monetary amounts of coverage levels are available and medical payments coverage may have no relation to "full" or collision/comprehensive coverage and whether or not you have those coverages.

Towing

If your car breaks down or is involved in an accident, this coverage will pay for a tow truck or roadside assistance to get your car to the repair shop, body shop, or salvage yard. This coverage usually pays up to $75.00. This is a nice addition if not too pricey, and not needed if you annually purchase some other type of roadside assistance coverage.

Underinsured or Uninsured Motorist

I think EVERYONE should have this coverage at a higher level than state minimums, because it protects us from all of the unseemly folk out there who refuse to insure their cars, OR purchase inadequate insurance coverage. In Nebraska, you have to show proof of insurance to renew your tags, however many people just take out a policy, send in proof to the state, and then let the policy lapse after a month and are uninsured. Underinsured Motorist pays for your injuries up to the policy limit when the other driver has insufficient insurance coverage which is not enough to pay for your injuries. This coverage usually includes hit and run drivers as well. Uninsured coverage pays for your injuries when the other driver has no coverage or lapsed coverage.

The Nebraska minimum requirements for this type of coverage are also the VERY INSUFFICIENT $25,000.00/$50,000.00, for the same reason these coverage levels are not adequate liability insurance coverage amounts.

Umbrella Coverage

This coverage provides additional ($1,000,000.00 or more) blanket coverage to your liability, underinsured, and uninsured coverage limits you have in place. This coverage is very important if you have significant income to replace if you are injured, or if you have significant debts and overhead (household, children, motorcycles, boats and other recreational assets, etc.) at this point in your life.

Conclusion

The amount of vehicle insurance needed is unique to each individual. Inserra & Kelley strongly recommends NO LESS THAN $100,000.00/$300,000.00 coverage on your vehicle for liability, underinsured and uninsured coverage.

PLEASE take this article to your insurance agent for a policy review, and make sure that you have enough coverage to insure you and your family in the event that a significant accident impacts your life!!! You would be amazed at how little some of this additional coverage will cost!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Craig Kelley

What should I do if I am involved in a car accident?

Staff Writer — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 12:09:59 GMT

Also, make sure to record the names of any emergency personnel such as police officers or paramedics who respond to the scene. In addition, pay close attention to the behavior of those involved. Does anyone seem intoxicated? Do the victims appear injured? What type of damage have the vehicles sustained? Are there any unusual facts or circumstances surrounding the accident? For instance, what is the weather like? Fog? Rain? Snow? Was traffic heavy or light? In general, while it may be difficult to stay focused in such a stressful situation, writing down your observations of the accident scene may help you prevail in any lawsuit that results from the accident.

First and foremost, seek medical attention if warranted. Once your well-being and that of your fellow accident victims have been evaluated and stabilized, you should collect important information from those involved in the accident. Such information includes, but is not limited to, driver's license numbers and vehicle registration information along with the names and addresses of vehicle passengers and bystanders who may have witnessed the accident. Also, make sure to record the names of any emergency personnel such as police officers or paramedics who respond to the scene. In addition, pay close attention to the behavior of those involved. Does anyone seem intoxicated? Do the victims appear injured? What type of damage have the vehicles sustained? Are there any unusual facts or circumstances surrounding the accident? For instance, what is the weather like? Fog? Rain? Snow? Was traffic heavy or light? In general, while it may be difficult to stay focused in such a stressful situation, writing down your observations of the accident scene may help you prevail in any lawsuit that results from the accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer